Chapter 12
"Well, sir," Mrs. Darcy said to her husband as they sat alone at the inn, "how shall we spend this pleasant afternoon?"
"A long hike through the woods?"
"Ahh, I see your good humor has returned."
"I do feel a great deal better."
"I wonder which, if any, of the many measures has brought this improvement. I suppose it matters not."
"I am tired of sitting in bed."
"I would imagine so, dear. I believe your annoyance is yet another sign that you are recovering." Darcy smiled.
"Perhaps so."
"Is there nothing we can do?"
"I could pull out a handkerchief and teach you how to embroider flowers."
"I am not quite so desperate for amusement."
"When Kitty and Lydia were little I used to tie up my handkerchief into a doll to amuse them when we were forced to sit quietly for long periods."
"I must see this useful talent."
So Lizzy grabbed the handkerchief from her pocket and tied the appropriate knots. Darcy was visibly impressed, having not seen this particular trick before.
"And where did you learn this?'
"From my mother." Darcy sighed.
"I know you do not like my mother, Fitzwilliam, but she truly does care about her children."
"You are correct that I do not hold your mother in high esteem, but I was not thinking of her at this moment."
"Oh? Then what pray tell were you thinking?"
"I was imagining you teaching that handkerchief trick to our daughters someday."
"Oh? I may also teach them to embroider cushions and play their instruments very ill. Now how else shall I amuse you."
"Actually, I am ready for a rest."
"Then I am glad to have appeased you so easily."
After Mr. Darcy had fallen asleep, Elizabeth spoke briefly with a maid, who quickly returned with a few items Elizabeth had requested. Then Mrs. Darcy settled into her seat and did needlework, though she was often distracted by the sight of her sleeping husband. He seemed more peaceful than he had before; his breathing was much easier.
Upon awakening, Darcy lay quietly and watched his wife's hands nimbly work the needle and thread.
"You have beautiful hands," he finally said.
"Thank you. I hope you had a good rest."
"I did. Now I am ready to be entertained further." Darcy spoke with a smirk.
"The maid was able to procure a chess set for us. Would you care to play?"
"You play chess?"
"Not often. My mother does not find it an appropriate pursuit for a young lady. However, my father sometimes desires a game and I am happy to oblige."
"Then we shall play."
Elizabeth set the game board on the bed beside Darcy, and after setting up the pieces, the two began what became a rather drawn out game of chess. Darcy was pleasantly surprised to find that Elizabeth was a worthy opponent. Her skill at the game did not match his, but beating her did require a a great deal of thought.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth intoned after her queen was stolen, "Do you not think it ironic that the queen can move as far as she likes in whatever direction she likes, she lives her life to protect the king who can barely move. In our society it is the women who are restricted and the men who must protect them."
Darcy gave his wife an arch look, "I do not find it so very ironic."
"Does that make me your queen?"
"Indeed."
Elizabeth laughed and Darcy chuckled lightly with her. They continued to engage in witty banter all through their game.
When the game was over, Lizzy rang for tea, and Mrs. Smith responded. She entered carrying not only the tea kettle, but also a large bowl.
"I've brought you some strained stew. I thought you might like something a little more substantial than just broth, but if I am wrong I'd be happy to bring you some broth."
"Thank you, Mrs. Smith."
Darcy eyed the stew suspiciously. He raised a spoonful to his mouth and tasted it. Surprisingly, Mr. Darcy declared the stew delicious, though this may be the result of having had nothing but broth for so long. Mrs. Smith, of course, was delighted with his approbation.
"I will draw another bath for you tonight. At least, I will if you would like. I know how much those hot baths helped Mr. Smith." Lizzy looked at her husband, and he could see the laughter in her eyes.
"Thank you, madam."
"Mrs. Smith shows a prodigious interest in your care," Elizabeth muttered as soon as the older lady had left them.
"Perhaps she hopes to line her pocket book."
"Perhaps she just needs to mother someone."
"I am getting rather tired of needing to be cared for!"
"I suppose I ought to be thankful that you are well enough to be petulant." Mr. Darcy gave an impish grin, and Lizzy could not help but think how well it became him.
"That smile is dangerous, sir, you must be cautious when you wear it."
"How so?"
"I –I can't think rationally when you do that."
"I shall have to remember that when I wish to win a debate."
"I believe that is an unfair advantage!"
"As though your very presence was not a distraction already."
Their easy flirtation continued until Colonel Fitzwilliam knocked on the door.
"We were not expecting your return so soon; you could not possibly have traveled to Longbourn and back so quickly."
"How astute you are, Mrs. Darcy. I have not traveled to Longbourn at all for we came upon your father along the way. He and Miss Bennet are in the sitting room."
Mrs. Darcy stood up and rushed past the Colonel, running straight into her father's arms. "Papa!"
"I thought that Mrs. Darcy would need to always act with the utmost decorum."
"I am certain that Mr. Darcy would have selected a different woman had he wanted someone always grave and severe, Papa."
"Are you happy, my darling?"
"How can I be happy when Fitzwilliam is so ill. Yet I am pleased to be married to a good man who loves me a great deal."
"Ftizwilliam? The Colonel?"
"Oh no. Fitzwilliam is my husband's given name as well. The colonel is not ill."
"Ah. I understand Darcy had trouble with the carriage ride this morning."
"He did, but he is much better now. We have had a pleasant afternoon. Will you be staying here at the inn long?"
"We do not have an exact plan. I believe Colonel Fitzwilliam will be setting off soon in search of a husband for Lydia. I need to write to your mother and explain where I am. Thankfully only Jane knows of the elopement so we should be able to preserve Lydia's reputation."
At this point Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bennet explained briefly the plan they had hatched, then the Colonel announced his departure to go "husband hunting" for Lydia. Lydia found little pleasure in the knowledge that she would soon be pledged to marry a total stranger; however, her father refused to listen to her complaints.
"I suppose I ought to send a message to your mother letting her know that Lydia and I will be staying at this inn tonight."
"While you do that, I will return to Mr. Darcy. Please come in and see him once you are done writing."
Lizzy returned to find that her husband was once again sleeping peacefully. She found herself exhausted from the events of the day, and decided she should rest as well. So Lizzy climbed into bed with her husband and fell asleep almost instantly only to be awoken at her father's return.
"Your husband sleeps?"
"Yes, Papa, but I do not think he would mind if we wake him."
"First, let me show you what I wrote to your mother."
Dear Mrs. Bennet,
I apologize for leaving without notice this morning. Our son-in-law's health took a turn for the worse today and Lizzy was very concerned for him. They will be staying in an inn between London and Meryton for at least the next few days. As far as I know they will still be coming visit Longbourn soon. Lydia and I plan to return home tomorrow. Lizzy probably would have appreciated Jane's company more.
Sincerely,
Thomas Bennet
"I admire your ability to not say anything false and yet still disguise the ugly truth. I shall arrange for a messenger to take this to Longbourn immediately, and also to have him send Mr. Stinson back to us."
"Shall we wake Mr. Darcy now." Mrs. Darcy watched her husband for a few moments before coming to gently nudge him awake.
"My father wishes to speak with you." Darcy turned to face Mr. Bennet and the two exchanged greetings.
"I am sorry I couldn't properly gain consent."
"You cannot imagine how shocked I was to receive your sister's note calling for Lizzy to come to you."
"Yet you allowed her to come?"
"How could I deny her when she had called you the handsomest man she had ever seen." Darcy grinned
"Truly?"
"Admittedly, I might have hesitated if I had known I was sending away my favorite daughter for good."
"I am glad you sent her."
"Now enough of this sentimental rubbish. I see you have a chess set, shall we play?"
"Yes, please."
The two gentleman indulged in a game of chess while Lizzy sat and watched them. About half-an-hour into the game, Lydia game to the door.
"Can I please join you? It is dreadfully dull in here by myself."
"What say you, Fitzwilliam, shall we allow my sister to enter your bedchamber?"
"I suppose she is my sister, too, which makes it not entirely inappropriate."
"Thank you." Lydia said as she bounced into the room. She sat beside Lizzy where she had a clear view of the chess set.
"Papa, did you mean to let Mr. Darcy take your horsey?"
"Yes, Lydia, I did." Mr. Bennet answered as he moved to take Darcy's bishop and put the younger man in check. "Also, it's a knight, not a horsey."
"Can you teach me how to play?"
"I think you're too silly for this game."
"I'll teach you," Darcy offered.
"Really?"
"Yes, but let me finish this game with Mr. Bennet first."
Surprisingly, Lydia's attention was completely riveted to the chess game. By the time Mr. Bennet won that game, she had a reasonable grasp of how each of the pieces moved.
"Now, you'll teach me right?"
Mr. Darcy was surprised to find Lydia an apt pupil at the game of chess. He was also surprised at how little affected she seemed by the morning's events. Months after an attempted elopement, Georgiana was still not herself. Darcy could only conclude that Lydia's behavior was driven more from a desire for adventure than an emotional attachment to George Wickham. He hoped that whatever man his cousin found would have some sense of adventure too.
The chess lesson continued until dinner. The fare was simple but hearty, and all were satisfied, even Darcy who ate more of Mrs. Smith's strained stew.
After dinner, the three Bennets took turns reading aloud for Darcy's entertainment until Mrs. Smith came to inform him that his bath was ready. Since, Mr. Stinson was still not available, Lizzy helped her husband. She thought of asking her father for help, but was to embarrassed to do so. Thankfully, the second bath was much less dramatic than the first had been, as Darcy did not have any more seizures.
As Darcy settled into bed that night, he realized that Lizzy seemed much more at ease than she had previously. He attributed her calm to her father's presence; it did not occur to him that she might feel peace because of his own improving health or the pleasant conversations they had enjoyed that afternoon.
Darcy sighed, "I had fun with your father and sister."
"They helped alleviate your restlessness?"
"They did."
"I am glad. I was apprehensive about Lydia's presence here with you. I know she can be quite a handful."
"I believe that she could turn out well if properly reigned in."
"Hopefully she will have a husband who will be firm with her but also respect her."
"Wickham would not have done either."
"I suppose we shall see soon what sort of man your cousin has found."
"I am certain Richard will do well by her."
"I am sorry about Lydia's foolish behavior. I see that you were right to be so reluctant to unite yourself to such a family."
"It was almost my sister."
"What?"
"Last summer Wickham attempted to elope with Georgiana."
"Oh dear. I knew he had hurt her in some way, but I didn't imagine that."
"If I had not made a surprise visit. I do not even like to think on it."
"Then do not think of it."
"That is an impossibility. I cannot help but see that this is my fault. I am more than certain that Wickham chose your sister because of me."
"That may be true, but that in no way negates her guilt. Her behavior was foolish and reckless."
"Yes, but she is barely more than a child, and I do not believe she has had proper training." Lizzy was initially indignant, but she quickly realized that Darcy was correct. Lydia had not been trained to act as a proper lady.
"I wish I could disagree."
"Your father has been lax regarding his daughters' upbringing."
"You seem to approve of the way I turned out."
"Indeed I do, my love."
Darcy fell asleep with a smile on his face that night and slept soundly through the night for the first time since his wedding.
Darcy and Elizabeth were both awoken the next morning by the sound of rapping at the door followed by a cheerful voice calling out "Good Morning!"
The first thing Lizzy noticed as she woke was that her limbs and Darcy's were very much tangled together and the covers had been thrown off sometime during the night. The second thing she noticed was that the cheerful voice was not coming from the other side of the door. She abruptly sat upright and saw her sister standing in the room smirking at her.
"Lydia Bennet!"
"Ummm!"
"Have you no sense of decency or decorum!"
"I thought you would already be up! I'll be going now. By the way Mr. Darcy, you have very nice legs!" Lydia pronounced as she ran away giggling, while Darcy groaned.
"I apologize for that intrusion. I do not know what my sister was thinking."
"She wasn't."
"I do agree with her though."
"You agree with her?"
"Yes, you do have very nice legs. I would rather not have my sister admiring them."
"Oh, Lizzy. I was about to suggest we send her away to Scotland or somewhere else far, far away. However, your comment has softened my anger."
"Other than angry how are feeling this morning, sir?"
"Much better, actually."
"Perhaps Mrs. Smith might serve some porridge for breakfast. Do you think you could eat that?"
"I have never liked porridge, but I will try."
It took only a few minutes for Mrs. Smith to arrive with a breakfast tray; Lizzy suspected that she had been waiting for such a summons. Along with a variety of pastries and fresh fruits, there was a bowl of thin porridge.
"There's some honey you can add to the porridge to make it sweeter. I also brought some apple jelly. Mr. Smith likes to put apple jelly in his porridge. I always thought that was a tad bit odd, but he eats it all that way, and he won't have it any other."
"Thank you, I don't know if Mr. Darcy will want it or not, but perhaps he will."
"By the way, your man arrived early this morning. He's downstairs in the common room, but I know he's anxious about his master's health."
"Give us a half-hour and then send him up please."
Darcy laughed at first when Elizabeth explained to him the purpose of the apple jelly. Still, after he forced down a couple of bites of porridge he decided he would give it a try. Much to his surprise, Darcy found that adding jelly did render the porridge a good deal more palatable.
"So you like the jelly in your porridge?"
"I would not go so far as that." Lizzy laughed.
"Of course you would not admit such a predilection. Do not worry your secret is safe with me."
"Have you any bizarre tastes of which I ought to be made aware."
"Of course not."
"None at all?"
"Well –"
"I can always ask your sisters."
"My mother would not tolerate us eating anything unusual. Somehow it seemed unladylike to her."
"Your mother has unusual notions about what it means to be a lady."
"I am not convinced the notions are truly unusual. I may disagree with her behavior and even be ashamed of it, but I am aware that her objectives are shared by a good deal of others."
"In your sphere of society that may well be true."
"Do you suggest that mothers in the first circles of society do not plague their daughters with ridiculous expectations so that they might capture suitable husbands."
"They are not so crass about it." Lizzy felt anger bubbling within her.
"Yes, and their daughters are more likely to commend a man excessively for the lovely letters he writes his sister than to flirt wildly with men in redcoats. The behavior may be slightly more subtle, but it is hardly what I would expect from a proper lady."
"Ahh yes. You may have a point. Your sisters may be boisterous, but they are sincere."
"Thank you. Now I had better get myself dressed for the day."
"Betty is not here?"
"Mrs. Smith did not mention her, so I assume she stayed at Longbourn."
"I would offer to help, but I suspect I would not be particularly helpful."
"I should be able to manage on my own."
"May I brush your hair?"
"Do you know how to style hair?"
"No, but I should like to brush it all the same."
"How could I deny you, then?"
A few minutes later, as Lizzy sat on the bed while Darcy brushed her hair, she could not help laughing.
"What diverts you so?"
"You?"
"Pray tell, how do I amuse you?"
"There was a time when I could not have possibly imagined you brushing hair."
"But you know me better now?"
"I do."
A few minutes later, when a knock sounded at the door, Lizzy expected Mr. Stinson and did not hesitate to call out, "Come in!"
"My goodness! Lizzy, I guess Mr. Darcy's not so dull as I thought. Who would have thought he would be brushing your hair."
"Lydia!"
"Well you did tell me to come in!"
"I expected Mr. Darcy's valet."
As though her words had conjured him, Mr. Stinson appeared at the door at that moment.
"Have I come at a bad time? The innkeeper's wife said you were expecting me."
"Not at all. Mr. Stinson. My sister and I were just about to go for a short walk."
"A walk?" Mr. Darcy wondered aloud, "Alone, in a strange place?"
"Not alone, sir. With my sister. The countryside here does not appear to be particularly dangerous."
"It may not be, but I will not take chances with your safety."
"Why not take the footman with you?" Stinson offered.
"Does that meet your approval, sir?"
"Yes, I am only concerned for your safety."
Lydia quickly arranged her sister's hair, and the two young ladies found their required companion and set out.
Back in the room, Mr. Stinson went about the work of Mr. Darcy's toilette.
"Mrs. Smith says you must take a bath this morning." Darcy laughed.
"I suppose it must seem odd to you that the innkeeper's wife would be concerned with my hygeine."
'Not entirely, she did explain the purpose."
"Lizzy will be relieved that you are here to bathe me now."
"I see." Mr. Stinson would never have commented about Mrs. Darcy helping her husband bathe, but the idea did amuse him, and he could not help allowing a slight upturn of his lips. Nevertheless, he went about his job quietly.
As Stinson was shaving Darcy, the two men heard raised voices emanating from the sitting room next door.
"Stinson, would you please check on that. As far as I know, my father-in-law is the only one who should be in that room."
Stinson opened the door and saw two gentlemen engaged in a tense argument.
"May I help you? Mr. Darcy is concerned."
"I was just coming to examine him."
"And you are?"
"Mr. Jones, the apothecary."
"Oh yes, of course, please come in. I believe you will be pleased with Mr. Darcy's improvement."
As Mr. Jones examined the patient Darcy inquired about the nature of the dispute which had just taken place.
"I am sorry, sir. I ought not to have spoken to Mr. Bennet in such a way. I was truly out of line."
"That is a fine apology, Mr. Jones, but you have failed to answer my question."
"I may have reprimanded Mr. Bennet for a perceived failure in his paternal duties." Darcy grew alarmed, fearing that news of Lydia's elopement had somehow spread.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"He has done nothing to correct the gossip which has been flying around Hertfordshire regarding you and Mrs. Darcy, sir."
"Gossip?"
"Yes. A good number of people reckon your hasty marriage as an elopement. Another number have suggested that you must have forced yourself upon her and then been forced to marry because she was with child. Still more suggest that you truly were ill, and that Mrs. Darcy took advantage of your illness for mercenary reasons and forced you to marry her."
"What utter rubbish!" Stinson exclaimed, "Why anyone can clearly see that the young couple are devoted to one another."
"After seeing the Darcy's yesterday, I couldn't agree more, but before I saw them I had no idea of truth. The Bennet ladies are the subject of so much dreadful gossip, and I believe much of it could be stopped if Mr. Bennet would simply let the truth of the matter be known. That is why I confronted him."
"I thank you for your intentions."
"I especially hate to see the damage this will bring to the eldest Miss Bennet. She is already much discussed for her broken heart and now this new gossip and having her closest sister gone. I think it is too much for her to bear."
"Miss Bennet's broken heart?"
"Once again I have said more than I ought. I should not have mentioned such a matter to you since I know you are quite close to Mr. Bingley."
"To be honest, I have no notion of what you imply."
"Well, after your friend left Netherfield so suddenly after having paid what seemed to be particular attention to Miss Bennet, the young lady was made the subject of gossip."
"Oh? Has Mr. Bingley not returned? He certainly had planned to return."
"I hope he has not become ill."
"I do not know. I think I ought to send him a message."
Mr. Jones did not know what more to say, so he said little has he proceeded evaluating Mr. Darcy's health. He was pleased to pronounce Mr. Darcy's health seemed to be much improved in only one day.
As the apothecary was finishing his examination Elizabeth entered the room the lower portion of her dress half-covered in mud. Darcy did not notice the mud, but he saw loose curls which had escaped her bun, he saw the flush of her cheeks and the brightness in her eyes brought from the exercise in which she had engaged, but most of all he saw the smile that graced her lips, and her delight brought joy to his heart.
Lizzy had no idea what Darcy was thinking, but she was aware of the dark look that graced his eyes, and she believed it was disapproval of her disgraceful condition. He probably thought it was inappropriate for Mrs. Darcy to appear in such an unkempt fashion. She sighed with disappointment.
Mr. Jones exchanged pleasantries with Mrs. Darcy and then departed, promising to visit them again at the inn in a few days.
After the apothecary left, Lizzy planned to address the issue of her husband's apparent disapproval of her behavior. She was even more convinced of his disapprobation as he had assumed a brooding air. However, before Mrs. Darcy had the opportunity to introduce the subject, a light rapping was heard at the door. Expecting her sister, Lizzy called out a welcome.
"Come in, Lydia!" Colonel Fitzwilliam poked his head in the door with a grin on his face.
"I am not, Lydia, but I hope I am also welcome."
"Of course, Colonel. I admit we are surprised to see you here. I thought you were returning to your regiment."
"It was my plan. However, I made a stop in London and met up with someone I would like for you to meet and have brought him here to make your acquaintance."
